1: The Ever-Evolving World of Science

Let’s Rewind

 Science is not just about facts; it is a way of thinking that involves questioning,
experimenting, and exploring the world.
 Learning science involves observing both small phenomena (like cells) and large
phenomena (like stars) phenomena around us.
 Curiosity drives leads to scientific discovery discoveries — simple things like paper
planes have led to major inventions of aeroplanes.
 Scientific thinking means being open to the unknown and asking deeper questions
like “how” and “why”.
 Hands-on activities and real-life experiences help build in building a better
understanding of science.
 Science is All the scientific fields are interconnected — . This means discoveries in
one field often influence others.
 Everyday materials and changes (like melting of ice or ripening of fruits) are part of
science scientific learning.
 Our own bodies go through undergo changes, which are also studied scientifically,
along with plants and animals.
 Natural phenomena like day and night, seasons, and eclipses are explained through
the movements of the Earth, the Moon, and Sun.
 Understanding science helps us see our role in the environment and the need to act
responsibly.
 The nature of light and shadows can reveal deeper truths about the universe.
 Even familiar topics can spark new questions — because science encourages ongoing
learning and discovery.
 Asking questions is as important as finding answers — . The people who turn into
good scientists are “whys” the people who ask ‘whys’.
 Every chapter is designed to build on previous knowledge, encouraging creative
thinking and exploration.

Let’s Revise
  Curiosity: The strong desire to learn or know something new by asking questions and
exploring.
 Exploration: The act of discovering or investigating something unknown through
observation and experiments.
 Observation: Carefully watching and noticing details about things around us to learn
more about them.
 Experiment: A scientific activity carried out to test an idea or demonstrate a fact.
 Photosynthesis: The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical
energy to produce food.
 Evaporation: The process by which a liquid changes into a gas, usually due to heat.
 Eclipse: An event where one celestial body moves into the shadow of another, such
as a solar or lunar eclipse.

Know More
In ancient India, the concept of zero was developed, which had a profound impact on
mathematics and science. The numeral '0' was first used by Indian mathematicians in the
5th century and revolutionised modern calculations.

Let’s Begin

Worksheet 1.1

A. Tick (✓) the correct answer. (1 mark each)

1. What is the main purpose of studying science?

a) To memorise facts
b) To prepare for exams
c) To explore and understand the world around us
d) To read about inventions

2. What inspires scientific discoveries like the invention of aircraft?

a) Watching TV
b) Reading storybooks
c) Observing simple things like paper planes
d) Learning history

3. What happens when a metal is heated?

a) It becomes brittle
b) It becomes softer
c) It turns into a liquid
d) It catches fire

4. Which process allows plants to make food?

a) Respiration
b) Photosynthesis
c) Fermentation
d) Germination

5. What causes a solar eclipse?

a) The Earth blocking the Sun’s light
b) The Moon blocking the Sun’s light
c) The Sun blocking the Moon’s light
d) The Earth’s rotation

6. Which quality is encouraged in students through science learning?

a) Competition
b) Curiosity
c) Silence
d) Memorisation

7. What is the primary source of energy for the Earth?

a) Wind
b) Water
c) Sun
d) Moon
8. The process by which heat moves from one object to another is __________.
a) Conduction
b) Reflection
c) Refraction
d) Radiation

B. Fill in the blanks. (1 mark each)

1. Science is not just about facts, it is a way of __________ and exploring the world.
2. Hands-on __________ helps the learners to connect scientific concepts to real life.
3. Plants breathe through tiny openings in their leaves called __________.
4. The Earth’s __________ causes the day and night cycle.
5. __________ is a basic skill in science that involves watching the world carefully.
6. A burnt paper is an example of an ______________ change.
7. Science teaches us responsibility toward our __________.

8. The position of the __________ can be used to tell time.

9. __________ is the process by which water vapor turns back into liquid.
10. The Sun, Moon, and Earth are involved in the phenomenon of __________.

C. Write T for True and F for False. (1 mark each)

1. Science only deals with things that we can see with our eyes.
2. Only scientists in laboratories can ask scientific questions.
3. Eclipses can only occur during a full moon.
4. Ice turning into water is an example of an irreversible change.
5. Shadows are created when light is blocked by an object.
6. The respiratory system transports oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells.
7. Evaporation only occurs at high temperatures.
8. Scientific ideas from one field can help in understanding other fields.

D. Match the Column. (1 mark each)

Column A Column B
1. Curiosity a) Helps tell time and create shadows
2. Experiment b) Desire to learn new things
3. Observation c) Scientific fields linked to each other
4. Interconnection d) Asking “how” and “why” questions
5. Light and Shadows e) Changing materials to understand them

E. Very short answer questions (2 marks each)

1. How does the textbook define the role of curiosity in science learning?

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2. Explain the process of photosynthesis in plants.

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3. How do metals conduct electricity?

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4. Simple observations led to discoveries. Justify

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65. What happens to water when it evaporates?

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76. How can shadows help us tell time?

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87. What is the primary purpose of the digestive system in humans?

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F. Short answer questions (3 marks each)

1. Why is it important to ask questions in science?

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2. How do changes in the environment affect the properties of materials?

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3. How do hands-on experiments help students learn science?

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Curiosity often leads us to ask questions and try new experiments. When working on a
science experiment in groups, what skills like cooperation and patience are important to
ensure success? How can practising these skills during experiments help you in everyday
life? Reflect on a time when being patient and working well with others helped you solve a
problem.

| SEL: Social awareness; Relationship skills; Self-management

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4. What are the effects of the Earth’s rotation?

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5. How does heat transfer affect the states of matter?

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6. Why is the study of light important for understanding the universe?

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I. Long answer questions (5 marks each)

1. Describe how science is more than just a subject with facts, based on the textbook
introduction.

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2. Discuss the role of light and shadows in understanding the Earth’s movement.

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3. Discuss the importance of responsibility and sustainability in science.

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Science has the power to improve lives but can also harm the environment if not used
responsibly. How does practicing sustainability in scientific research and everyday life help
to protect ecosystems and promote health? What actions can young people take to
promote sustainability?

| SDG: Climate Action; Quality Education

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4. Describe the process of evaporation and condensation in the water cycle.

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Think and answer

If you were to design a new experiment to observe the effect of heat on different materials,
how would you go about it?

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Assertion-Reason Questions (1 mark each)

Directions: Given here are two statements—one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled
Reason (R). Select the appropriate options given below:

a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

b. Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.

c. A is true but R is false.

d. A is false but R is true.

1. Assertion (A): Science is about asking deeper questions like “how” and “why”.
Reason (R): Science only focuses on memorising facts and dates.
2. Assertion (A): Photosynthesis occurs only in plants.
Reason (R ): Plants are the only organisms capable of producing their own food from
sunlight.
3. Assertion (A): Hands-on experiments help in better understanding scientific
concepts.
Reason (R): Experiments allow students to observe and experience science in real
life.
4. Assertion (A): The Earth’s rotation leads to the change of seasons.
Reason (R ): The tilt of the Earth’s axis as it rotates around the Sun causes varying
amounts of sunlight to reach different areas.

CASE-based questions
Read the information given below and answer the following
questions. (4 marks)
Science is more than just a collection of facts. It is a way of thinking and exploring the world
around us. Scientists start with curiosity — a desire to understand why things happen. They
ask questions, perform experiments, and observe carefully. Scientific knowledge is always
growing because new discoveries lead to new questions. Moreover, science teaches us
responsibility towards the environment and society. It helps us see how human actions
affect the natural world and why we must care for it.
1. Without curiosity, scientific exploration would:
a) Be faster and easier
b) Continue as usual without changes
c) Slow down because there would be fewer questions to investigate
d) Become more interesting

2. How does science differ from just memorising facts?

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3. Why is it important for science to be an ongoing process?

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OR

How do experiments contribute to the growth of scientific knowledge?

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Enrichment Activities (4 marks)

Choose something around you that sparks your curiosity and think of two interesting
questions about it. Then, select one question and design a simple experiment to investigate
it. Gather all the materials you need and carefully carry out your experiment, making sure to
observe everything closely. Record your observations in detail and write about what you
learned from the experiment. Finally, reflect on your results and think about any new
questions that your investigation has raised, as science is a continuous process of asking and
exploring.

| Learning and Life skills- Critical thinking, Creativity, Information

Good to know
The ancient Indian tradition of questioning and experimenting is reflected in the teachings
of Chanakya, who encouraged asking “why” to understand the world better. This spirit of
curiosity and critical thinking has been part of Indian knowledge for centuries and is the
foundation of all scientific discovery.
 Science Fun

Read each statement carefully and complete the blanks by writing the correct word. Use the
hints provided in brackets to help you. (5 marks)

1. Metals become more __________ when heated because their particles move more
freely. (Starts with “m”, means easy to shape)
[2.] __________ is the natural curiosity process that leads scientists to ask questions and
explore. (Starts with “c”, means a desire to learn)
2.[3.] When water changes from liquid to gas, it is called __________. (Starts with “e”,
means turning into vapour)
3.[4.] The __________ is the movement of the Earth around the Sun, causing seasons.
(Starts with “r”, means to go around)
4.[5.] In a science experiment, it is important to __________ your observations carefully.
(Starts with “r”, means to write down)

Reflection Time

Complete the concept map given below.